Is 1800 sq ft too small for a 4br?

Talise is the exact same build as Trellis Court which was pretty popular build for Cal Pac.
 
Cares said:
Talise is the exact same build as Trellis Court which was pretty popular build for Cal Pac.
Click to expand...

God, I wish I had enough money back then to buy Trellis! Or even Talise at current prices. So sad.
 
CogNeuroSci said:
Irvine2020 said:
CogNeuroSci said:
Mety said:
Hey CogNeuroSci,

Any educational environmental hazard issues at Irvine for us? Your deep knowledge would greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Actually, I've learned a ton on this forum. Thanks for the compliment, but what you call knowledge my wife calls a waste of time.

When we bought 5 years ago, I researched a ton on wood floors, tiles, quartz countertops, toxic land, landfill; and I visited around 40 new construction communities. I was totally obsessed but became dormant after we bought. Since we're back in the market again this year, the obsession has come back, for better or worse (my wife thinks the latter).

As far as environmental hazard, I think I got everything I know from this forum. The toll fwy is a non-issue. I believe (but I'm not sure) that PS 5A, 5B, and 4B are out of the toxic land range. I'm not afraid of homes being built on Indian burial sites (I've always respected souls that have passed over).

The ONLY thing I'm concerned about is the Bowerman landfill, which I'm still learning about (from this forum) and have to admit I don't know very much yet. I've decided to not let it stop us from buying in Portola Springs.
Click to expand...

Which neighborhoods are you considering from PS?
Click to expand...

I really really wanted Talise, of course! Plan 3 is my favorite at Talise but it would stretch what we can safely afford. I was even considering Unit 17, which is a Plan 3 sandwiched between 2 other homes such that it has a small courtyard in the middle (like Celeste Plan 4/4X and Montara Plan 3) instead of the normal larger L-shaped backyard that wraps around the back of the home that they're selling for the "discount" price of $921,374. But one of the reasons you buy Plan 3 is to get that nice backyard, so I passed on it.

So I'm still going back and forth between Talise Plan 1, Celeste Plan 4X, Montara Plan 3, and Juniper Laclaire plan. Looked a little at Great Park Rise Covello (Lennar), but the plans are either 3 stories or too expensive. Although you can negotiate with Lennar in general, the eternal never-ending Mello Roos is not reasonable.
Click to expand...


Montana 3 feels ?wider? and ?longer? though it?s comparable to Talise 2. I want to say it?s the entrance and the position of the sink with the window that gives it a long feeling. Montana 3 is a great deal with it being a 4bed/4.5 bath. We were told the wait list had over 100 people on it but looks like they discounted plan 1 recently. Montara also has slightly lower MR than Talise. The size is comparable. My heart was set on Talise 2 with the amazing kitchen island. I really wanted site 88 that is right next to the park with views of the park but thought about privacy in general and passed. I think site 17 plan 3 reduced to $915k but I do agree with you it is all about the L shape patio. They had site 66 that was a quick move in for $959k that?s under contract. I wonder how much it went for. It was a beautiful over sized patio. 
 
Irvine2020 said:
I?m considering Portola Springs Talise Plan 1 right under 900k.
Would you consider 1800 sq ft being too small for a 4 bedroom house and would this be an issue later for resale?

Also, any and all opinions on Talise Plan 1 would be appreciated. Here are my thoughts on Talise so far.

Pros:
1. Like the courtyard
2. LOVE the high ceilings
3. Like being high up on the hills
4. Like secluded less crowded feel of Talise compared to other neighborhoods
5. Close to elementary school

Cons:
1. Closer to landfill/highway
2. Further from Irvine Blvd
3. Have been reading comments here about Talise developers  having a hard time selling compared to other PS neighborhoods
4.
Click to expand...

Does it fit your needs? It wouldn't negatively impact resale because it's already priced in in the cost. Most new homes have very efficient use of space. If it fits your needs, then go for it.
 
We are in escrow for plan 1. We signed up a couple of weeks ago!
Click to expand...

Congrats! I really like the feel of the loggia before the front door! I liked Talise and their sales staff but had a bad experience with their preferred lender.

 
Prototype said:
We are in escrow for plan 1. We signed up a couple of weeks ago!
Click to expand...

Congrats! I really like the feel of the loggia before the front door! I liked Talise and their sales staff but had a bad experience with their preferred lender.
Click to expand...

Same. Always "too busy" to speak with me and answer my questions. I gave them a shot and when I told them I'm going to another lender they finally were begging me to stay. A little too late when you give standoffish customer service.
 
Cares said:
Prototype said:
We are in escrow for plan 1. We signed up a couple of weeks ago!
Click to expand...

Congrats! I really like the feel of the loggia before the front door! I liked Talise and their sales staff but had a bad experience with their preferred lender.
Click to expand...

Same. Always "too busy" to speak with me and answer my questions. I gave them a shot and when I told them I'm going to another lender they finally were begging me to stay. A little too late when you give standoffish customer service.
Click to expand...

Wow! That's really funny that you say that because I had the same experience when I bought a Cal Pac home several years ago. They've been using the same preferred lender for many years and a lot of my old neighbors had similar encounters and went with their own lender.  With how awesome Cal Pac's customer service is, I'm surprised they've been married to their preferred lender for so long.
 
Prototype said:
Cares said:
Prototype said:
We are in escrow for plan 1. We signed up a couple of weeks ago!
Click to expand...

Congrats! I really like the feel of the loggia before the front door! I liked Talise and their sales staff but had a bad experience with their preferred lender.
Click to expand...

Same. Always "too busy" to speak with me and answer my questions. I gave them a shot and when I told them I'm going to another lender they finally were begging me to stay. A little too late when you give standoffish customer service.
Click to expand...

Wow! That's really funny that you say that because I had the same experience when I bought a Cal Pac home several years ago. They've been using the same preferred lender for many years and a lot of my old neighbors had similar encounters and went with their own lender.  With how awesome Cal Pac's customer service is, I'm surprised they've been married to their preferred lender for so long.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my clients who bought new CalPac homes also had very similar experiences as you guys. I believe their lender was with US Bank and when she moved to Loan Depot CalPac followed her. Over 90% of my new home buyers go with an outside lender despite builder incentives using the builder's preferred lender, due in part to higher rates and/or poor customer service.
 
USCTrojanCPA said:
Prototype said:
Cares said:
Prototype said:
We are in escrow for plan 1. We signed up a couple of weeks ago!
Click to expand...

Congrats! I really like the feel of the loggia before the front door! I liked Talise and their sales staff but had a bad experience with their preferred lender.
Click to expand...

Same. Always "too busy" to speak with me and answer my questions. I gave them a shot and when I told them I'm going to another lender they finally were begging me to stay. A little too late when you give standoffish customer service.
Click to expand...

Wow! That's really funny that you say that because I had the same experience when I bought a Cal Pac home several years ago. They've been using the same preferred lender for many years and a lot of my old neighbors had similar encounters and went with their own lender.  With how awesome Cal Pac's customer service is, I'm surprised they've been married to their preferred lender for so long.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my clients who bought new CalPac homes also had very similar experiences as you guys. I believe their lender was with US Bank and when she moved to Loan Depot CalPac followed her. Over 90% of my new home buyers go with an outside lender despite builder incentives using the builder's preferred lender, due in part to higher rates and/or poor customer service.
Click to expand...

Yep same lady. Kim Shoup.
 
I?ve been communicating with Erica Dose at Loan Depot for my Cal Pacific home. She?s been great, very responsive and knowledgeable. They recently started doing rate locks but we are still looking around for rates.
 
Yeah we are working with Erica as well. She has been responsive and helpful when I had questions.

We asked about rate lock and she said it?s too soon to tell. We close in November. She said rate might go down even more by then but who knows what?s going to happen.

We are debating whether to use the incentives towards upgrades or split between upgrades and closing (if we use Loandepot). A) increase the sale price by $10-$15k and not be out of pocket or B) keep dale price low (lower property tax) and be out of pocket $10-$15k.
 
toekneechin said:
Yeah we are working with Erica as well. She has been responsive and helpful when I had questions.

We asked about rate lock and she said it?s too soon to tell. We close in November. She said rate might go down even more by then but who knows what?s going to happen.

We are debating whether to use the incentives towards upgrades or split between upgrades and closing (if we use Loandepot). A) increase the sale price by $10-$15k and not be out of pocket or B) keep dale price low (lower property tax) and be out of pocket $10-$15k.
Click to expand...

Your closing costs will be less than $10k so you'll want to split the incentives between closing costs and design center credits. Remember, you can use more closing costs credits than your actual closing costs (it's a use it or lose it incentive for closing costs).
 
I?ve been in a lot of homes and anyone can make all the arguments for efficient layouts, floorplans, etc, all they want, but for Me 2000 SQFT and under feels way to ?cozy? to be anything other than a temporary starter home.
 
USCTrojanCPA said:
toekneechin said:
Yeah we are working with Erica as well. She has been responsive and helpful when I had questions.

We asked about rate lock and she said it?s too soon to tell. We close in November. She said rate might go down even more by then but who knows what?s going to happen.

We are debating whether to use the incentives towards upgrades or split between upgrades and closing (if we use Loandepot). A) increase the sale price by $10-$15k and not be out of pocket or B) keep dale price low (lower property tax) and be out of pocket $10-$15k.
Click to expand...

Your closing costs will be less than $10k so you'll want to split the incentives between closing costs and design center credits. Remember, you can use more closing costs credits than your actual closing costs (it's a use it or lose it incentive for closing costs).
Click to expand...

Thank you Martin! We have around $30k to use design center, or we can split to use for closing cost if we choose to use LoanDepot. If we don't use LoanDepot, we can use all $30k towards design center (which we learned doesn't buy very much lololol)

LoanDepot was saying we needed a whole bunch of additional cash for the impound which covered taxes, HOA, etc. but couldn't give us a straight forward amount. They estimated $8,000-$10,000 on top of closing cost which was quoted around $15k. Even the disclosures didn't outline the impound amount because "it was too soon" since we aren't closing until end of November. It's all very odd.
 
CogNeuroSci said:
Irvine2020 said:
I?m considering Portola Springs Talise Plan 1 right under 900k.
Would you consider 1800 sq ft being too small for a 4 bedroom house and would this be an issue later for resale?

Also, any and all opinions on Talise Plan 1 would be appreciated. Here are my thoughts on Talise so far.

Pros:
1. Like the courtyard
2. LOVE the high ceilings
3. Like being high up on the hills
4. Like secluded less crowded feel of Talise compared to other neighborhoods
5. Close to elementary school

Cons:
1. Closer to landfill/highway
2. Further from Irvine Blvd
3. Have been reading comments here about Talise developers  having a hard time selling compared to other PS neighborhoods
4.
Click to expand...

All the home builders everywhere in Irvine have been having a hard time. In Portola Springs, it's not really so much Talise but more so Brisa (both PS 4B). Even Carissa down in PS 3 is having a hard time, especially with the 3-floor plan. Brisa, Carissa's twin community, is having the most difficulty all-around but especially with, of course, the 3-floor plan. Celeste has been fine except for- you guessed it- the 3-floor plan. At Montara (PS 5A), the only plan that has a waiting list is Plan 3 (which is similar to your Talise Plan 1 as well as Celeste Plan 4X). Even Juniper (Richmond American; PS 5A) and Elderberry (KB Home; PS 5A) have been going slow during coronavirus.

Talise only has around 4 phases left. With the best lots left, they'll have no problem selling out. Talise Plan 1 has a nice enclosed courtyard (that's the "back" yard) entryway that has to be entered to get to the front door and comes with a trellis standard. I like it a lot. The chestnut brown stained door at the front of the courtyard is beautiful! I would buy it just for that door! It really is special.

However, the tall ceiling in the great room is more like around 18'. Compare it to Talise Plan 3 + 4 and Celeste Plan 4, and you'll see it's not as tall. In addition, the tall ceiling encompasses a relatively small area and there is no "over-look" from the 2nd floor, which adds to a bit of a claustrophobic feel. However, I agree you can decorate to counter this psychologically. The 1st floor bdr is perfect! It's really awesome. The 2nd floor is very nice, although there is no loft. Celeste Plan 4X has 4 bdr + loft (with "over-look" into the great room) at about the same square footage for ~$50,000 less. But I'm sure you see the entire Talise community as a step up from Celeste.

I suspect you are thinking of buying either Unit 72 or 76 from Phase 12. That's up on the north side, which is perfectly fine, because in my opinion, the toll fwy is a non-factor (because there's far less traffic on it throughout the day than on Bake Pkwy, Irvine Blvd, Portola Pkwy, or Jeffrey Blvd) and noise is minimal while inside your home. However, have you visited in the evening when the electric hum starts? I'm not sure, but I think it's from the toll hwy office building that's right above and behind Talise. I think the sound starts around 8PM when the lights up there go on. I think you need to check it out for yourself. Something's making that noise. But can you hear it inside your home?

Another thing about Talise is the anti-climactic entryway into the community. It immediately makes a hard left because directly in front is a hill (that cannot be moved). There's an island in the middle (between the enter and exit sides) with drab desert plants. Why didn't they put in colorful flowers like they did with the Celeste/Brisa entryway? I wouldn't make a purchase decision based on that, but it's really kind of disappointing. Furthermore, they could easily have built the entryway "mouth" in the middle of the community, you know?

As to your initial question, 4 bdr and no loft is perfectly fine for the 1806 sq ft of Plan 1 but only for Cal Pac Homes. No one else can do it. Have you seen the Shea Homes resale in Baker Ranch that's on the market? It's 1650 sq ft with 4 bdr and no loft. Believe it or not, it has a bdr on the 1st floor. It's a straight-line configuration from kitchen to dining area to great room (like all the Talise plans), but it's soooo tight. As is normal for Shea Homes with houses less than 2000 sq ft, the 2nd floor is super tight with tiny rooms and almost no hallway. Cal Pac saves space by taking away coat closets and laundry room counters, but that can't account for all the space savings. And it's not coming from short hallways either. Although Montara Plan 3 has a Shea Homes-like tight hallway feel on the 2nd floor (its only flaw), Talise Plans 1 + 2 have full 2nd-floor hallways at slightly over 1800 sq ft! Cal Pac tends to have good size secondary bedrooms that are at least 120 sq ft, so that can't account for the savings. And Talise Plans 1 + 2 have 1st floors with separate powder room AND full bathroom, so the space savings isn't from that. Where then is it coming from?

My conclusion is it's coming from the straight-line configuration from kitchen to dining area to great room. In this kind of configuration, which I like, the square footage from the dining area melds into the great room area. In addition, the great room width can be limited to 13' (Celeste Plan 4 and 4X), 14'1" (Montara Plan 3), and 13'9" (Talise Plan 1), respectively, without "feeling" too narrow. I believe the psychological threshold to avoid a closed-in feel is right around 13'. Anyone who has checked out the Celeste Plan 4 model home might disagree, but i'm sure the reason the great room feels small is because it's a little bit too short (by 2 ft, I estimate), not because it's too narrow. For comparison, think about the battle of cell phone screen sizes between Apple (Shea Homes) and Samsung (Cal Pac Homes). Steve Jobs said the 3.5" screen of the iPhone 1/2/3 was perfect back then and that no one would ever want a bigger screen--and he was wrong. Samsung didn't care what Jobs said and, in 2011, started stretching the psychological boundaries by inundating the market with a bunch of Galaxy S and Galaxy Note cell phones, going from 4.2" (Galaxy S2) to 5.3" (the original Galaxy Note). Today, I think most people would consider a 5.7" screen to be the minimum acceptable. Cal Pac has established the minimum great room width to be about 13', and I believe they've done this purposefully. Add 4 bedrooms to that and it adds to right around 1800 sq ft minimum. Shea Homes tried to do it in 1650 sq ft and were left with a fail.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed information. We are in escrow for a plan 3 as well and heard the humming noise while we were walking around the community in the evening. It is kind of white noise that just seems to fade into the background after a few minutes but does anyone have any idea what it is or whether it is going to get better? Thanks in advance!
 
[quote author=Icarus1204
Thanks for the detailed information. We are in escrow for a plan 3 as well and heard the humming noise while we were walking around the community in the evening. It is kind of white noise that just seems to fade into the background after a few minutes but does anyone have any idea what it is or whether it is going to get better? Thanks in advance!
[/quote]

I've gone back 2 times at night since my initial post and it's definitely coming from the toll fwy office that's directly above the backside of Talise. The buzz hum starts when the lights up at that building go on in the evening.

You said it fades after a few minutes, but to me and my wife, it's continuous, doesn't fade, and is loudest when you're on a part of the street where no house is blocking the sound waves.

Can anything be done? Can you hear it inside the house, especially the Plan 3's and 4's that are butted right up against that setback? I don't know.

If your backyard is up there, can you enjoy an evening with guests out in your backyard? Common sense tells me absolutely not.

***UPDATE: Good news! I went to Talise last night (Mon 6/29/20) at just before 1AM--and the noise was gone! Completely gone. No noise at all and just peaceful quiet.

Maybe whatever makes the noise turns on at 8PM and shuts off at 12AM (or at least before 1 AM), I don't know. I'll test again between 12AM and 1AM.

But right now, I'll just assume the noise is probably gone for good. Talise is back to being awesome again!***
 
Valid points. I am wondering whether this is recent. Because there are a bunch of plan 3s and 4s butted up against the setback that the seller already sold in previous phases. People are living there too. I wonder what their reaction is and whether there is a plan forward...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top